The man who fatally shot a 24-year-old Greeley woman last week had been previously convicted of a weapons charge from two Greeley drive-by shootings in October 2020.
Gabriel Esparza, 23, was prohibited from owning a firearm after he had been convicted of illegally discharging a firearm, after him and two others carried out a pair of drive-by shootings on Oct. 22, 2020. He faces charges of first-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a previous offender for the shooting earlier this month, and is being held on a $5 million bond, according to Colorado Court records.
Shortly after the shooting, Esparza also admitted to police that he was intoxicated when he shot 24-year-old Sierra Mininger, after telling police several conflicting stories of the incident, according to an affidavit for his arrest.
Just before 6:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, Greeley police were dispatched to the 300 block of 9th Avenue in Greeley on a report of a shooting.
When officers pulled up, Esparza — later identified as Mininger’s boyfriend — was shirtless outside the house and flagged them down, according to the affidavit. Police say he identified himself as a Norteno gang member.
Police entered the house and say they saw Mininger on the ground near the front door. She was breathing but unresponsive, according to the affidavit, with a gunshot wound on the left side of her head, just above the temple.
Emergency medical personnel arrived and took her to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead just before 9 a.m.
On scene, Esparza first told police that he didn’t know how Mininger was shot, saying he was sleeping when he woke up to a loud “pop” and noticed she had been shot, according to the affidavit.
Once at the Greeley Police Department, Esparza changed his story several times before eventually admitting he was the one who had shot her, according to the affidavit.
After admitting he pulled the trigger, according to police, he then told a story about how he likes the game of Russian roulette and that he “gets a high” off not knowing whether a bullet is in the chamber. He said he pointed the gun at Mininger not knowing if there was a bullet loaded, pulled the trigger and shot her.
After further questioning, he finally told police the truth: that the two had been arguing and he was intoxicated, so he grabbed his gun to intimidate her, according to the affidavit. He then pointed the gun at Mininger, and after she told him he wouldn’t pull the trigger, he fired from about 5 feet away, shooting her as she was lying on the bed, records show.
Police say he then began to cry, telling officers that he didn’t know the gun was loaded.
A GoFundMe was created after the shooting by the victim’s father, Jeremy Mininger.
“I thank each and everyone who she knew for being a part of her life!” He wrote on the page. “Justice for Sierra Nicole Mininger. I’m just so devastated but I know SHE WAS GREATLY LOVED.”
A screenshot shows the GoFundMe created for a final goodbye for Sierra Nicole Mininger, who was fatally shot on Dec. 8, 2024. (Courtesy/GoFundMe)As of Monday afternoon, the GoFundMe has raised $10,120 from 121 donations. To donate, go to GoFundMe.com/f/support-sierras-final-goodbye.
Esparza is being held at the Weld County Jail ahead of a hearing on advisement Friday. Police ask anyone with information on the shooting to contact Detective Michael Shea at 970-381-1265 or Michael.Shea@GreeleyPD.com.
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